NPR's Book of the Day

In need of a good read? Or just want to keep up with the books everyone's talking about? NPR's Book of the Day gives you today's very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast. Whether you're looking to engage with the big questions of our times – or temporarily escape from them – we've got an author who will speak to you, all genres, mood and writing styles included. Catch today's great books in 15 minutes or less. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Book of the Day.

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Every guest on NPR's Book of the Day

1338 guests, ranked by how many people never want them back.

1. —
   Erik Larson

   'The Splendid and the Vile' dives deep into Winston Churchill's year during the blitz · Feb 2022

   0 votes

   Never again
2. —
   James Patterson

   Remembering Dolly Parton through her writing for children and adults · 2 episodes

   0 votes

   Never again
3. —
   Patric Gagne

   'Sociopath' is a memoir about how to live with – and treat – the social disorder · Apr 2024

   0 votes

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4. —
   Lisa Damour
   0 votes

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5. —
   Matthew Desmond

   'Poverty, By America' argues America profits by keeping people poor · Mar 2023

   0 votes

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6. —
   Gabor Maté

   'The Myth of Normal' explores why depression and illness rates are rising in the U.S. · Dec 2022

   0 votes

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7. —
   Prachi Gupta
   0 votes

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8. —
   Mustafa Suleyman

   'The Coming Wave' and 'Artificial' offer different perspectives on AI · Nov 2023

   0 votes

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9. —
   Nita Farahany
   0 votes

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10. —
    Constance Wu

    Constance Wu writes about her trauma and ensuing judgment in memoir 'Making a Scene' · Oct 2022

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11. —
    Ed Yong
    0 votes

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12. —
    Michael Schur
    0 votes

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13. —
    Dwyane Wade

    'Dwyane' uses photographs to wrap up an illustrious career · Dec 2021

    0 votes

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14. —
    Jon Meacham

    'And There Was Light' traces Abraham Lincoln's views on slavery and religion · Oct 2022

    0 votes

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15. —
    BJ Fogg

    Lower your expectations and succeed with 'Tiny Habits' · Jan 2022

    0 votes

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16. —
    Rozina Ali

    'Seasons of Fury' traces the roots of Islamophobia in the United States · Sep 2026

    0 votes

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17. —
    Tessa Hulls

    'Feeding Ghosts' is a graphic memoir grappling with generational trauma · 2 episodes

    0 votes

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18. —
    Amy Wallace

    Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir recounts abuse by Epstein, Maxwell and others · Oct 2025

    0 votes

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19. —
    Beth Macy

    'Paper Girl' and 'Joyride' are memoirs by journalists who get close to their subjects · Oct 2025

    0 votes

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20. —
    Casey Cep

    These previously unpublished Harper Lee stories were discovered in her NYC apartment · Nov 2025

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21. —
    David Grann

    'Killers of the Flower Moon' traces the murders of Osage families · Oct 2023

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22. —
    Donovan X. Ramsey

    'When Crack Was King' chronicles the misunderstood history of the crack epidemic · Jul 2023

    0 votes

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23. —
    Erika Hayasaki

    In 'Somewhere Sisters,' twins adopted by different families reunite · Nov 2022

    0 votes

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24. —
    Hua Hsu

    Two writers on friendships and how they shape us · Oct 2022

    0 votes

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25. —
    Jeffrey Seller

    'Theater Kid' is a memoir from the producer of 'Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' and 'Hamilton' · Jun 2025

    0 votes

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26. —
    Jelani Cobb

    In 'The Matter of Black Lives,' generations of Black thinkers probe American racism · Oct 2021

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27. —
    Jennifer Senior
    0 votes

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28. —
    John Gottman
    0 votes

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29. —
    Katy Milkman

    'How to Change' is a behavioral economist's guide to habit formation · Jan 2025

    0 votes

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30. —
    Kiese Laymon

    Two new children's books view the natural world as a site of personal growth · Apr 2025

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31. —
    Lawrence Wright

    Looking for some pandemic-era writing? We have spooky and we have sweet. · Jan 2022

    0 votes

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32. —
    Linda Villarosa

    'Under the Skin' shows how COVID exposed racial disparities in healthcare · Jul 2022

    0 votes

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33. —
    Margo Jefferson

    Two memoirs that celebrate the influence of Black female artists · Apr 2022

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34. —
    Mia Mercado

    'She's Nice Though' tackles the burdens of being nice · Sep 2022

    0 votes

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35. —
    Michelle Zauner

    Food is a gateway to the new and familiar in 'Crying in H Mart' and 'Gastro Obscura' · Oct 2021

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36. —
    Molly Crabapple

    'Here Where We Live Is Our Country' chronicles the history of the Jewish Labor Bund · May 2026

    0 votes

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37. —
    Patricia Evangelista

    Patricia Evangelista's memoir revisits the aftermath of the Philippines' war on drugs · Dec 2023

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38. —
    Robert Samuels

    New George Floyd biography paints a picture of being a Black man in America · May 2022

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39. —
    Roger Bennett

    'Gods of Soccer' celebrates 100 of the world's best players · Nov 2022

    0 votes

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40. —
    Roxanna Asgarian

    'We Were Once a Family' examines how the foster care system failed the Hart siblings · Jul 2024

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    Never again